The ground was still wet from the recent rains; the forest too thick to let the sun through to dry it off. There was a heavy silence smothering the air broken only by a stream of quiet whimpers and rough pants as something rushed past the trees and the padding of lighter than air steps brushed by the soft bushes.

A small white wolf came to a stop near a tiny stream whirling between the trees and curled into a ball on the ground next to the tall pine. His fur was ruffled and his chest expanded and contracted faster than usually as he struggled to catch his breath.

The shivers of his body were almost visible from afar and his head turned left and right as if he were waiting for someone to jump and hurt him at any moment.

Sensitive ears picked up on every crunch and every ruffle around him, making it impossible to relax and get some much needed rest and comfort.

There was a burning spot on his head reminding him that someone did something bad to him and that that was why he was running.

His paws were still stiff despite the attempt of his body to let go for a little while; it seemed as if they were only waiting for that moment when they would need to take him away from whatever wanted to hurt him.

In his wolf form Kurt's mind worked on a more simple level. He was still himself but the details of his humanity were more or less lost. He knew he was in danger, he knew that hiding was a good idea, he knew there was a possibility they would come after him and he knew he was all alone.

His dad had no idea where he went and to scent him out he would have to shift and he wouldn't do that in a parking lot filled with people.

His logic was cut off after that, the simplified way his wolf operated on taking over the remains of his human mind.

He curled in tighter, hoping it would make him invisible.

There was something calming about being that close to something familiar. Feeling the grass and smelling the life it gave to the little creatures living there. Human him hated the dirt and the moist and the damage it did to his looks, but wolf him never wanted to leave the sanctity of it; the feeling of being exactly where he was supposed to be.

He buried his nose into the dewy grass and let out another whimper as his ears picked up a distant vibration of someone's footsteps.

He jumped to his feet and shook his fur to get rid of the moist feeling on his skin before bolting deeper into the woods.

Trees blurred into a fuzzy stretch of branches and leaves and the ground beneath him crumbled and molded against his paws.

He could almost see his own breath in the early winter chill and his senses struggled to keep his surroundings in check as he ran from an unknown danger.

He could feel his heartbeat pick up the speed once again and he pushed himself harder and harder to put as much distance as he could possibly manage between himself and the source of the greatest fear he felt since he was a child and his tiny hands shifted into paws before his very eyes.

Losing his breath one more time he stopped again, shaking and dropping to sit on the ground for just a moment. His breath came out rough and loud to his own ears. He ached from exertion from running for so long and he craved a place where he could be warm and protected and safe.

Tired from trying to keep himself alive his front legs gave out and he collapsed onto the ground lying his head onto his paws, still breathing heavily.

He curled up against the cold air and his own fear as his eyes moved around restlessly, trying to provide the last shred of protection where his body couldn't anymore.

His ears twitched when he heard a sound coming from some place on his right. His head shot up and he tried catching whoever it was. But even with his stronger wolf senses he couldn't see anything.
Willing himself to relax he was about to lower his head back down when a louder rustle sounded, and another one and another one and another one after that.

Terrified he jumped to his feet ready to bolt again when a threatening sound became a form and with a feeling of horror settling in his gut he realized that instead of running away from danger that threatened him…he had been running towards it all along.

Hazel eyes searched frantically for the source of the blood boiling smell that made him shift in the first place.

His big paws left indentations on the damp ground and he had no time to be careful about it. His…his someone was hurting and afraid and all he wanted was to find him.

The soft floral scent made it harder to follow the sweet traces of his mate but he figured it just took some time for the smell to become the first and the strongest aroma around him; for it to be the first thing he notices when it's around. He didn't even meet him but it was already close to that feeling.

Pushing his body to go faster he rounded the big cluster of sharp stones and he felt one of them scrape the skin on his side but he had no time to dwell on it. It would probably heal in a few hours after he shifted back to his human form.

There was something reaching his ears whenever his paws hit the softer ground that muffled his steps.

Curious he stopped in his tracks and perked his ears willing the sound to repeat itself to see what it was.

He stood there for a few minutes when there was that soft sound and Blaine realized what it was. Only now it didn't fill him with warmth the way it did the first time he heard it. It wasn't sweet and gentle and soothing and calm.

It was erratic and fast and moving towards him and his jaw clenched while the sound reverberated in his head.

Thumpthump thumpthump thumpthump.

A heartbeat.

His heartbeat.

Blaine's someone heartbeat.

It rammed itself in his brain and forced it's way into his bones. He couldn't walk away. He couldn't let him go.

He belonged to him.

The heartbeat belonged to him.

Standing up on his paws again he made his way towards the sound; now standing in one place, slowing down, settling in one place.

He padded slowly, not wishing to scare him away, to make him run. He just wanted to protect, to keep safe, to defend.

He rounded the last tree and his eyes fell onto the small form curled up against an old log. There was a pull in his gut that flared inside of him and a feral desire to claim him and never let go attacked every conscious mind he still had left.

The wolf lying there was snowy white, small, lean, and shivering and Blaine wanted nothing more than to offer some of his warmth to him; to curl around him and cover him with his own body completely.

Gasping at the scent brought to him by a sudden whiff of wind he stumbled forward and landed on a small pile of leaves that were still crunchy enough to make a sound, making the magical white wolf turn his head towards him.

He smelled just like he did that first time he sensed it but there was something off about it. An undertone of blood flushed his senses and he growled in anger. Someone hurt the little wolf. Someone dared to hurt his mate. He took a step towards him and then changed his mind when he saw him.

Tired paws lifted his body up and Blaine saw the wolf was ready to bolt. His heartbeat picked up the speed again in fear and despair.

And then he turned his eyes to him and Blaine could feel every emotion that confused him since the second he scented him fall into place as every question he ever had answered itself right before his eyes. This small white wolf before him was, without doubt, the second part of his soul, his mate, his anchor.

Taking a cautious step forward he froze when the smaller wolf flinched and took a step back from him.

He lowered his head as a sign of submission, against all of his instincts to rush in there and sink his teeth in his neck and hold him in place. Something told him that a skittish animal needed protection, not domination.

With his head bowed he took another step towards the white wolf and then backed away when he took another step back.

Did he not understand what it meant? Did he not want him? But they belonged together. How could he not want him?

His eyes searched those magical blue ones once again and he found confusion, fear, panic, and despair in them making his wolf instincts run wild with the need to take care of his mate.

Unable to think of anything to calm him down he decided that maybe if he just waited, the small white wolf will come to him.

He turned around in circle a few times testing his spot before dropping onto his belly and resting his head on his paws; watching, waiting, hoping his mate will seek him out. He had all the time in the world to wait for him.

"What the hell was that?"-Luke started at the small gap between the trees that swallowed their Alpha's frame.

The young wolf exchanged confused looks with a few of the pack members that shared his confusion. Blaine didn't meet anyone new as far as they knew. There was no one around them at the time that Blaine could think of as "his" and most importantly they all knew Blaine's….situation made it impossible.

Some of the older boys had a vague idea about what was going on but like the younger wolves, they too were thrown off by the impossibility of it happening.

On the other side David, and the mated boys were pretty sure it was real.

David talked to Blaine and he figured whoever it was that Blaine felt at school must have been close by now.

The rage, watered down with fear they saw in Blaine's eyes reminded Nick of the time a couple of guys from the football team Dalton played against started picking on Jeff for god knows what reason. The blonde man got scared and Nick felt his anxiety from across the campus, running to him to protect him.

Jeff locked eyes with his mate and gave him a small nod as if to say "yes, I saw that too" to answer the silent question he found on his face.

Andrew recognized the agony and the need to be close to your mate in Blaine because he saw it on Nicole the time a rogue wolf came to town and started stacking pack members. Andrew, by accident, forgot about their date. She thought something happened to him and the fear in her eyes when he next saw her made him shiver and fall to his knees in front of her while she alternated between crying with relief and yelling at him for being a motherfucking asshole and a stupid idiot and that she hated him.

Thad could actually empathize with Blaine since he saw it with his own eyes when Lara was hit by a car while looking back and talking to him when she was crossing the road. He knew that being a wolf would make her heal faster than anyone could even notice the injury but the need to help her almost blinded him.

Cameron just glanced at Jamie, who was now standing dangerously close to him thanks to all the ruckus with holding Blaine down and stopping him from shifting. He smiled to himself, content and grateful that the older man was safe and seemingly happy. Tempted to be closer to him he shook his head and stepped away from Jamie locking eyes with Jon and shrugging sadly. Jon knew. But it made no difference. There was a big chance that he would never be the one to look at Jamie and repeat Blaine's words "he's mine".

Lost in his thoughts he missed the confused frown on Jamie's face as he concentrated on the ongoing conversation around him again.

"I have no idea. It seemed like he was talking about someone."-Ethan said and a few guys nodded in agreement. The curious mumbling picked up in volume, ideas flying.

"Should we call someone?"

"Maybe we should follow him?"

"Some of us should shift and find him. He could be in trouble."

David ran a hand over his short hair knowing he will have to say something to calm the crazy bunch down. He wanted to respect Blaine enough to let him share what he wanted to say but he had to do something.

"Okay guys calm down."-he called out to his friends hoping some of them would calm down enough to hear him "Blaine is not in trouble. Trust me."

"How can you be so sure? He ran out of here wolfed out to chase after an imaginary someone he thinks is his. How is that him "not in trouble"?-Wes bit back and David actually smiled at his summary.

"Look…B and I talked yesterday and while I'm not sure how that's possible he really thinks there's someone out there that belongs to him. I'll leave the rest of it for him to tell you but for now let's just calm down and wait for him to come back okay?"-David looked around and saw the boys nod, obviously settled down.

"Pfff, when did B die and make you boss?"-Jon laughed and David stuck his tongue at him forgetting his grown up stance for a moment as they settled down on a few wooden benches to wait for Blaine bickering and joking and just a little bit worried underneath it all.

Jamie jogged to sit next to Cameron but the younger boy flinched and mumbled something about finding a bathroom before he fled the spot. Jamie frowned and tuned out the conversation around him.

He had noticed that Cameron was avoiding him. The younger boy was the newest addition to the Warblers but despite that he was close to everyone...everyone but him. And in a group as tight knit as theirs it was easy to spot the ruffles. He wondered what he did wrong to make Cameron so reluctant to be near him.

"It's nothing you did you know?"-Jon said as he sat next to his friend.

"How did you…?"

"How did I know what you were thinking? I've known you since we were kids. And I know Cam. He…he's got some stuff going on right now and he's chosen a more difficult way to deal with them. It's not your fault."-he said patting his friend's knee.

"Doesn't seem that way. Looks like I'm the only one he's not comfortable around."-Jamie said and Jon smiled at him.

"Maybe you should talk to him. Or talk to Blaine. He could help you figure out what to do."-what he meant to say was that Blaine had the authority to tell Cameron's secret if he thought it would benefit the pack.
Jamie bit his lip and thought about his words. Talking to Cameron seemed way to stressful. But Blaine was always willing to listen. Maybe asking him for help wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Yeah maybe I'll talk to Blaine. If he ever comes back from his alleged booty call."-he smiled and Jon joined in.

"He'll be back. I just hope he gets back before we starve."-he said making everybody laugh before they settled into a comfortable silence waiting for their leader to return.

Kurt stood in alert as he watched the big, black wolf take a step closer to him. He backed away cautiously but the smell wafting from the other wolf wasn't one he was familiar with.

That was not the way danger he was running away from smelled. The danger smelled stale and moldy and sickening.

The wolf in front of him smelled powerful and strong but safe and homey and….and his?

His stripped down mind wrapped itself around the thought of this beautiful animal being his, and him belonging to the frightening wolf standing close to him.

There was a niggling feeling that told him it was impossible and that this magical creature already had someone of his wherever it lived.

But the way he looked at him, the way he approached him slowly and careful not to scare him away told him that maybe…just for a second he could have what every wolf had.

Someone created just for him.

Someone he was created for.

He cocked his head to the side curiously as the bigger wolf locked his eyes with him and he could feel his resolve to run crumble at the sight of those beautiful hazel orbs boring into his.

The wolf took another step forward this time with his head bowed down and out of instinct Kurt backed away again eyeing the form so much bigger than his own.

The black wolf stopped in place looking like he was trying to decide what to do next. Kurt never expected him to lie down and snuggle into the ground looking at him to see what his reaction was going to be.

Kurt took another minute to decide what to do before concluding that the bigger wolf wouldn't suddenly jump and attack him.

He took a cautious step towards him and startled when he saw the black wolf's ears twitch backing away again. He wasn't used to being close to wolves other than his dad and this was all so weird to him.

Assured that the black wolf wouldn't move again he took another step closer, and then another one and another one until he was standing right next to him.

The other wolf was lying still and patient and comforting.

Realizing he had nothing to be afraid of Kurt bowed his head down and nudged the wolf's front paw with his head. The black wolf resisted the nudge and stayed in the same position.

Kurt gave it another try this time nudging the paw with a bit more force, moving it to the side.

The bigger wolf tilted his head and huffed a snort at the smaller wolf's strange behavior.

What he didn't know is that it was the way Kurt would make his mom move her paws so he could lie in between and snuggle closer to her.

Letting out a frustrated little growl he lowered his head and gave a final push to the big paw in front of him until it made the bigger wolf lose his balance and turn to his side, making a spot for Kurt between his paws.

The small white wolf whined happily and wagged his tail as he settled down next to the black wolf, snuggling close to him and resting his head close to the big black one. It felt so good being close to him like that. He felt safe for the first time since he ran into the woods and his heart took a normal pace again.

He nuzzled his head into the bigger wolf's chest and he felt something warm against his ear. The sore, bloody spot on his head stopped burning as that soft, wet something soothed the pain.

Looking up he saw the black wolf flick his tongue against his ear and the top of his head making him squirm pleased with how the wolf was treating him.

The black wolf changed positions so he was almost draped across the back of the smaller white one, enveloping him in his warmth and making him feel safe.

The both of them felt the feeling of finality and belonging and while Blaine reveled in it, Kurt was just confused.

The sound of leaves crunching again made the smaller wolf shiver and the black one licked his neck to soothe him. They glanced to their left when the sound came again and saw a light brown, older wolf jump in front of them baring his teeth at Blaine and growling threateningly.

Being around pack all his life Blaine knew the older wolf truly "owned" the small white wolf he was protecting.

Until they acknowledged their bond his mate belonged to his family, and the smell the older wolf let out indicated a blood relative.

Bowing his head he extricated himself from his spot next to the white beauty and gave him a small nudge with his head before turning around and running towards his pack again; longing to stay close to him but knowing he was in good hands and safe, and that he had no rights to stay.

He broke a little when he saw the little wolf gravitate towards him trying to follow him before the other wolf stopped him.

It gave Blaine hope. It meant the white wolf wanted him back. His mate wanted him back. Huffing tiredly he reached the edge of the woods where he left his clothes and shifted back, got dressed and went to find his friends. He figured he had plenty to explain.

"What were you thinking Kurt? I told you to come straight to me when you finished shopping. Instead I come to look for you and find your bags ripped and no sight of you anywhere."-Burt yelled as they walked into the house after he found his son in the woods, snuggling with a strange black wolf.

Wolves weren't supposed to be black. He may not have been in a pack for almost 18 years but he knew that much.

"I'm sorry dad I promise I didn't mean to do it."-Kurt cried pleading for his dad to let him explain.
"So what someone forced you to shift and snuggle with god knows who? Because that doesn't seem likely."-Burt bit back and Kurt stammered at the sheer power of his father's anger.

"There were some jocks from McKinley there. They cornered me…I got scared."-he said quietly and Burt felt sorry for yelling at him.

"Did they hurt you?"-he asked stepping forward and hugging his son feeling a soft tremble of his body.

"Just pulled my hair a bit. I'm okay…I'm not going back to that school and I'll be fine. Now the more important thing. Did you save my clothes?"-he played it cool for his dad with jokes and a brave act when in reality he didn't feel safe since the black wolf left the two of them in the woods taking that amazing feeling of home and peace with him.

"Of course I did. Angry Kurt is a scary Kurt. I didn't want to risk it."-Burt laughed at his son attempting to accept his explanation and play it cool when in reality his blood was still frozen in fear.

Lightening the mood they got back to their dinner listening to Finn talking about his football game and making sure Kurt was ready to move to Dalton the next morning.

After diner Kurt went to his room to pack a few more things he would need at Dalton when his dad knocked and came into his room.

"Hey son. Ready?"-he asked awkwardly.

"Almost yeah. Just a few more things."-Kurt answered.

"Okay I don't really know how to go about it so I'm just gonna ask. Who was he Kurt?"-he sat at the edge of his bed watching the way Kurt's fingers flexed around the shirt he was holding.

"I…I don't know."

"Kurt…you know how dangerous that was right? Being alone with an unknown wolf. He could've killed you."-Burt exclaimed.

"NO! He'd never do that. He was just keeping me safe. He was protecting me."-he shouted and then covered his mouth.

"How can you be so sure son?"-Burt asked surprised by his son's response.

"I just… I don't know how I know it. I just do."-he said and then bit his lip contemplating weather to ask his father what was on his mind or not.

He knew it was a slim chance that that black wolf was his mate. But the feeling of finally being whole just wouldn't leave him alone.

"Dad…I think…do you think he could be my…"-he started but to his own ears it sounded ridiculous. It was one thing to fantasize and a different one all together to actually think that and voice it.

"Kurt…"-his father started with that same apology in his voice and he just couldn't hear it. Not again.

"Yeah I know. It was stupid to think so."-he said quickly and threw the shirt into his suitcase just a bit more forceful than was necessary.

"It's not stupid son…"

"It's fine dad. I…I have to finish packing okay?"-he turned his back to his father hiding the tears pooling in his eyes.

"Okay buddy. I'll see you in the morning."-Burt said and walked out hating himself all over again for how his son's life looked like.

It was his fault after all.

Breakfast with the Warblers was always interesting. Some of them loud and happy from the minute they cracked their eyes open, some grumpy and snappy until the morning coffee and some of them not able to function properly until lunch.

Jamie was one of those people who liked mornings and he was always chipper and chatty at breakfast.

Cameron on the other hand had a tough time forming coherent sentences before two and a half cups of black coffee, no sugar.

So Jamie figured he could get in his good books by getting him coffee before he came to the cafeteria.

A few moments after, a grumpy Cameron dragged his feet to the table mumbling his response to the greetings of his friends.

"Hey Cam. I um…I got you coffee."-the older man called and to everybody's surprise Cameron's eyes snapped open and he looked more alive than ever before that early in the morning.

His eyes flickered to Jamie's face and an affectionate smile grazed his lips before he reminded himself that he had no right to look at him like that.

He took the coffee and thanked the older boy, before making a lame excuse about checking his homework with Trent and bolting to the other side of the table; as far away from Jamie as possible.
The blonde boy wanted to pout but at that moment Blaine took a seat next to him with Nick and Wes in tow, bickering about the mysterious man Blaine ran after the day before claiming he was his mate. Wes wasn't convinced.

"So you seriously think he's yours?"-the Asian man asked for the millionth time earning a groan from all of them.

"I don't think it Wesley. I know it. Now can we please talk about something else?"-Blaine asked and someone tried to change the subject.

They mentioned the quiz they had in a few days trying to figure out what could be important to revise when Blaine tuned out and locked his eyes onto the cafeteria door.

They followed his gaze and saw a tall, slim boy, clad in the Dalton uniform looking around himself confused.

Blaine's breath got caught in his throat at the sight and the smell of him.

If he thought his white wolf was beautiful the human him was unreal.

Soft, chestnut hair, perfectly styled and begging to be touched, high cheekbones and strong jaw making his face look almost elfin combined with small pointy ears, perfect, pouty lips existing just so Blaine could nibble on them, and those familiar glazs eyes he had even as a wolf made him the most perfect human being Blaine had ever seen.

"Blaine…Blaine are you okay. I mean he's hot but snap out of it."-Nick teased and Blaine blinked inhaling that sweet aroma over and over and over again trying to drown in it.

"It's him."-he whispered and all the boys turned to look at the new kid.

"Seriously? Well you have some major luck my friend."-Jeff said admiring the beautiful boy that now moved to the cash register to pay for his coffee.

"Go talk to him."-Trent urged kindly.

"Invite him to sit with us!"-Luke suggested eagerly and they all nodded in agreement.

Blaine didn't need to be told twice. He jumped to his feet and made a beeline to his mate.

His insides buzzed with excitement at having him so close and his heart thumping loudly when he stood next to him, their eyes locking.

He glanced all over him before looking him in the eye and breathing out excitedly.

"It's you."-he said with a smile on his face as he reveled in the sweet scent of his mate so close to him.

He was waiting for Kurt to break into a smile and fall into his arms and let Blaine hold him forever and ever.

What he got instead was a cute tilt of that pretty head and a confused frown.

But that wasn't what almost destroyed him.

The words that followed the frown were what finally smashed his heart into a million pieces.

"Have we met?"